President Trump called for peace Wednesday, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy condemned protesters who breached the Capitol Hill complex, calling their actions “unacceptable” and “un-American.”
“First of all, this is so un-American,” McCarthy told Fox News. “I condemn any of this violence that’s happening in the Capitol right now. I could not be sadder or more disappointed with the way our country looks at this very moment. People are getting hurt. Anyone involved in this, if you’re hearing me, if you’re hearing me loud and clear: This is not the American way. This is not protected by the First Amendment. This must stop now. As a nation, we’ve got to come together. This is so unacceptable. What I see happening at this very moment. We can disagree, but we do not take it to this level. We don’t do what is happening right now.”
On the call, McCarthy confirmed reports that shots had been fired on Capitol Hill but said that he had no information about where the shots took place or whether anyone was injured.
“I’m with capitol police,” McCarthy said. “I heard on the radio ‘shots fired.'”
Beyond that, he said, “I don’t know anything.”
“But I watched what was happening inside the building,” McCarthy added. “People have to be locked down. Members have to be locked down. This is the people’s house. This is a house that people come in and watch us debate. In a normal time, in a normal America, people would be in the galleries watching us debate each side and have a vote and accept what happened in the end. That’s not what’s happening today. This is un-American what is going on. This has to stop. … I watched barriers being broken. I watched people breaking windows. I watch people running into a building. This is not the direction we should go.”
McCarthy said he believes President Trump needs to make a clear statement condemning the violence taking place on Capitol Hill.
“I have already talked to the president,” McCarthy said. “I called him. I think we need to make a statement. Make sure that we can calm individuals down. Now, I don’t know who these people are. Remember, when you have a big crowd, people who can get into a crowd, I don’t know who they are, I don’t have any reports. This part is — whatever is happening is unacceptable.
Shortly after the interview, Trump tweeted a request that protesters “remain peaceful” and added, “No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order.”
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
